STUART NUMBER ONE STEAM ENGINE REPAIR - PART #1

Stuart Models Number One Steam Engine Examination. This Stuart Models Number 1 Steam Engine was sent to me by a potential customer for an inspection and repair estimate. There are many more links to my Steam Engine Videos here: www.mainsteam.co.uk .................... IF ANYONE WISHES TO MAKE A SMALL DONATION TO HELP WITH THE COST AND TIME THAT IT TAKES ME TO MAKE THESE VIDEO TUTORIALS PLEASE USE THESE LINKS: www.paypal.me/keithappleton
/ keithappleton
.............. THANK YOU ........

[@jim2003sound]

Im giving full marks to Keith Appleton for giving us a master class on how to produce a video presentation that is both entertaining and informative. With great appreciation from Ireland.

[@keithappleton]

Thank You {:-)))

[@robertpartis8921]

Keith, a fascinating video,many thanks. Way back in 1963 my father built a Stuart no. 1 and installed it in a 16ft clinker sailing dinghy hull with a coal fired vertical centre flue boiler. In 1965, (when I was thirteen) we steamed the boat from Brightlingsea in Essex up the River Thames to Stoke Bruerne near Northampton on the Grand Union canal and back, all in a week!! Happy days. My father is now ninety and still has the engine, (but not the boat). All the very best, Robert

[@slam854]

Keith, I do appreciate your dry humor as well as your extensive knowledge of machines and applications.

[@Gasnaald]

Keith, I came on your channel last year when I found my childhood Wilesco D10 steam engine on the attic of my parents house. My steam engine is now about 30 years old and it was standing still for about 25 years. After a cleanup and some small fixes it now runs like a charm. My biggest problem is that your channel is so encouraging that I'm now really looking around for a lathe and a milling machine to start making a simple oscillating steam from scratch to get me re-familiarized with the tools. I did some lathing an milling during my school years, but that was before I switched to electronics. Thanks for all the informative videos, and it's really encouraging that you are also coming from a different background.

[@nikhilbhale79]

Thank you Mr Appleton for all the videos. Being in India where no model engine hobby exist everyone was shocked when I bought a lathe. Your videos were one of the inspiration for me buying a lathe. Now I try to learn as much as possible here and maybe one day I will build a model engine that might pass your inspection.

[@jaylittleton1]

I can imagine Stuart Steam Co. editing the instructions to all their kits to say: 1. Remove all parts from box and inspect closely. 2. Carefully pack all parts back in to original box. 3. Mail kit to K. Appleton with a blank check enclosed. 4. Watch videos until your New Steam Engine arrives at your doorstep.

[@keithappleton]

:-))) but that would take all the fun out of it :-)))

[@robertsalser848]

I expect very few people would sign that check. I build and repair metal working machines, they wouldn't want to send me one.

[@jamesthepuerilis]

honesty is always the best option, if an engine isn't built right or it has major issue then there is no point in lying about it, thanks for yet another great video Keith.

[@bobolander]

I continue to enjoy your (very dry) sense of humor - looking forward to your "How to Build..." series you mentioned might be coming soon...I'll buy a set of castings and follow along!

[@Tocsin-Bang]

My grandfather told me to use brown paper and copal oil varnish to make gaskets for my BSA bantam when I was in my teens. They lasted at least 5 years!

[@martinsims1273]

Way to go! :-)

[@smittysmith3227]

Now that I have watched a number of your videos it was interesting to note visually the obvious discrepancies of the steam engine right out of that well made box. Also I view your videos on a 57 inch TV screen which really shows a lot of the details in your videos as opposed to viewing them on a laptop screen. Your workshop is indeed a well used and worked in mess and shows up well on a 57 inch TV screen but don't change a thing unless you absolutely have to. Cheers!😁🚂👍

[@drawvenmusket]

Hi Keith, that is a great engine that you have to work on, thanks for taking the time to share it with us, for the sake of the engine I hope the owner has the time and money to set it right, take care have a good day and a better tomorrow

[@stevebettany8778]

In the work I do now the problem is often the same the customer needs a quote but by the time you've traced the faults you've had to fix the machine. Tricky. Thank you for your videos

[@harryrobinson2901]

“There’s no gasket, there’s this horrible stuff that looks like it’s from the film alien”. I cracked up 😂!

[@WalterEGough]

Wow - thanks for posting. I've got a Stuart No. 1 - "brand new" still in the box from the 1950's I think. Never been built - I look at it now and then; and ask myself if I'm ready for this project - then I put it away again and work on a smaller project. But someday is coming!

[@martinsims1273]

Sit down with the plans, have a good long study of them, and work out the order of operations; which bit to do first, then second, etc. Sometimes it's not immediately obvious, you may need to machine (or partly machine) up one part (for instance) with tapping size holes when the finished work called for clearance sized holes, in order to use that for a drilling jig for other associated parts first, BEFORE opening up the holes to clearance size. But make a start on some part of it, and progress each operation, one bit at a time. That way, you're not biting off more than you can chew, and you can see progress - forward motion!

[@MonsieurFluffyPants]

I love these videos! they've taught me just how badly a steam engine can be made or assembled. 😋 I've been binge watching most of your channel recently and watching all the ads, even clicking on a few of the better ones. They've really helped me get through my wisdom tooth extraction recovery. Keep up the great work!

[@JasonSmith-vd1sz]

You are an amazing teacher! Please don’t stop!

[@donstor1]

I find myself checking to see if you have posted a new video. I enjoy them immensely and yes indeed they are very well made. Thank you once again for the time and effort in producing them. From a trumpet player in the US.

[@stunash4914]

Love your videos Kieth , I could spend hours watching your brilliant videos,

[@AlexVeranstaltungsStuff]

I like your Videos very much everybody could learn so much from them and they are very well made. Greetings from Germany.

[@keithappleton]

I thank you for your kind comment :-)))

[@TheShadow19962810]

Keith Appleton, Your videos are very informative and educational. I love steam engines and it brings out the steam engineer within me.

[@oceanmariner]

Your videos are all well done and very informative.

[@victorfiori105]

I really want to get one of these Stuart model steam engines. I have a couple Jensens and a Wilesco. Great video! Might come in handy one day to know how to fix these. Thanks

[@martinsims1273]

A very interesting channel here, my 1st time viewing this. Very good. As soon as you started with this it was obvious that there had been sloppy assembly of an otherwise good engine, and when you had to prise off the valve chest cover and there was all that bath sealant goo tested of a proper gasket there, I thought "what the heck!". And when I saw the valve, it was obvious that something was amis ; it should be steam pressure alone that holds the valve onto the port face, and therefore the valve needs to float (but no slop), so yes, the valve nut needs to be a VERY SLIGHTLY loose fit in the valve. Likewise the bath sealant sticking the outer cylinder cover on, instead of a proper gasket (they're easy enough to make), and all the other sloppily, poorly assembled parts. It only takes a little bit of care (at each stage) to make a proper job, but some people have no idea....as I said, good video, thank you.

[@martinsims1273]

Stupid "predictive text"! I wrote "instead of", not "tested of" (line 7). M.S.

[@lauriemattila5936]

Why do you only have 51.2 k subscribers.... it should be 4 times that brilliant video.

[@keithappleton]

Thank You {:-)))

[@edwardeverson7039]

Go man go wish i had one !

[@fuzzwack1]

Thats a nice engine,It will be very nice a fixed up right!!

[@aaronhorn6849]

You forgot to mention that you were using your trusty Barco spanner of high quality! =)

[@keithappleton]

It is a B A H C O Adjustable spanner of exceptionally high quality - }:-)))

[@offroadercha-raa5567]

I inherited two no 5 stuart engines. I appreciate your videos and have learned alot but still far off from being able to ever machine parts.

[@nikhilbhale79]

That rubbery stuff is some kind of silicon gasket maker.

[@paulmanson253]

Perhaps a dumb question, but what is the power output of one of these things on compressed air or steam ? My limited understanding is that the expansion of steam offers somewhat more power,is that correct ? Shop dog Sam in one of his videos stated the original power output for the Maytag two stroke gasoline motor washing machine was ,I think,about two thirds of a horsepower. I do not suppose that using a Stuart to drive something is the primary goal,the machining,fitting and fettling being the primary desire of many. Watching you do advanced tuneup and repair of a project mostly completed,or perhaps tired ,is something that gives me real pleasure. No doubt there are many such,there are a lot of individual steps to a finished unit.Cheers.

[@keithappleton]

The only example that I know about is a Stuart 5A Steam Engine. That is rated at 1.5 Horsepower running at 80PSI.

[@cornpop8638]

A clean desk is the sign of a sick mind !!!

[@keithappleton]

}:-)))

[@cornpop8638]

@@keithappleton I'm a hydraulic machinist of about 40 yrs making and repairing every hydraulic component there is ( pumps motors valves cylinders ect ) and a lot of components are similar with your steam engine knowledge and my machining you could offer a quality kit for people being I'm quite certain I'm not the only one that thinks this is really cool its just food for thought

[@donnyo65]

NOOOOO - using a steel rule as a prybar! Joking aside, I was thinking of building one of these but, as a newbie, was a little uncertain. I am now confident I could do much better than this sorry example. Very informative video - thanks.

[@abdulgadertayeb8658]

I like this video

[@solehsoleh9747]

I like this video,,,

[@motoresesistemasautomatos.]

Hi friend, great videos, I have to translate, but it's worth it, you're a great master of the engines. I would like to know in the construction of a Stirling gamma engine I can build the two cylinders of the same size, or have to have a difference between the cylinders. Does this change the power, is there any relation between them? Example: If the hot piston cylinder is 500cm3 and the power piston cylinder is 500cm3 it will be an efficient engine or it must have one smaller than the other. I hope you have understood my doubt, in case you can help me thank you. Registered.

[@keithappleton]

i know little of Stirling engines, I just build and repair Steam Engines

[@loispolitte2724]

what size boat would a Stuart #1 engine push and what size boiler would you need? thank you!

[@keithappleton]

as a guess I would say that a Stuart Number One would push a boat of around 10 to 15 feet long. and as an absolute minimum a 6 inch diameter coal fired boiler would be needed, but preferably much larger.

[@crazyfvck]

Ha. Perhaps that 'gasket material' was high-temp silicone :D

[@twistedyogert]

What do you recommend for beginners who don't have the tools for machining?

[@keithappleton]

what can I say? . . . . in my case years ago I saved up the money over a period of time to buy my first lathe.

[@twistedyogert]

@@keithappleton I've got a stupid question, would graphite be a good piston ring material?

[@twistedyogert]

@@keithappleton I guess I could always pay someone to machine custom parts, but that could get VERY expensive.

[@RGplayer101]

grandpa used to ahve a number one. they worked nicely

[@Ralissa108]

The rubbery gasket material appears to be silicone - also known as 'Satan's Snot'. 'Nuff said!

[@mdtransmissionspecialties]

Can you personally sell engines? Looking for a 20hp single cylinder motor for a generator off grid living. Love your videos man!

[@keithappleton]

Yes I do sell Steam engines from time to time via my Website, but not full size ones - I build, rebuild & repair Model Steam Engines - MainSteam Models www.mainsteam.co..uk

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I don’t think you should be so hard on the person that built this. He may not have had your skills and experience or well setup machine shop , but that shouldn’t stop anyone from having ago. Perhaps his next engine was a masterpiece. But I know how you feel. I restore vintage electronics equipment and find much the same kind of thing. Great video thanks for sharing. Regards Chris

[@keithappleton]

I am not being vindictive in any way, Chris, I can only comment on what I see at any given time and feel that it is often useful to show beginners to the hobby the pitfalls which occasionally include how NOT to do it }:-)))

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Keith Appleton That’s fair enough. I do a lot of electronics repair and often find similar issues you do. However it makes life interesting if not a little frustrating at times.

[@SuperNicejohn]

Only inspection and assessment *Gets it to run again* Makes me wonder how much you charge for inspections :)

[@keithappleton]

it varies depending on the engine type. Usually £40.00 plus return postage - for an engine of this type.

[@samuelgently7630]

What is the price of this engine let me know pls.

[@keithappleton]

I sold it a few years ago . . . .

[@ybaggi]

i don't understand how a well manufactured machine can be assembled so as to it not running (besides not tightening the screws and bolts enough).

[@obfuscated3090]

It isn't "well manufactured". The tolerances are sloppy (poor quality control) and original assembly was indifferent. Design can't compensate for those choices by the maker.

[@cornpop8638]

3/8 24 thread most likely

[@struck2soon]

Terrifying! Cleaning the workshop is a practice best avoided....will you be hiding in the corner whilst your pals get on with it?

[@stuarthardy4626]

struck2soon The only problem in getting pals in to tidy the workshop is that you will spend hours trying to find things 😀😀😀 My bench is in in use state but every thing else is in it’s place all labelled up But watch out for the workshop gnome its nesting season and they will nick all the small parts 😇 You produce very informative videos , but one thing has got into my mind your voice is very familiar to me but we have not met

[@johnnywoodbine9092]

ahh B&Q silicone gaskets, good for helping seal leaky old BMC rocker covers, not so hot on a steamer though...

[@nickmiller76]

Nothing wrong with silicone .

[@musaepadumbratus2326]

That rubbery stuff looks like silicone!! Bad choice.

[@donnyo65]

a friend brought a set of carbs from a 4 cylinder bike for me to look at. They had been assembled with silicone - silicone dissolves in petrol or oil. After spending four hours cleaning the carbs and reassembling them (There was noting wrong with the rubber gaskets anyway!) she ran like a dream - horrible stuff!

[@iritantNL]

Nice hobby. But these things are so expensive 😢

[@keithappleton]

The good thing though, is that if the models are well made, they never lose much money and as time goes by the prices seem to be on the rise . . . .

[@Rebar77_real]

"A clean shop is a sure sign of a cluttered mind" But if you walk in and think, "Gah! What a mess!" Then its probably time to organize just a little. :)

[@j-man6001]

A disgraceful workshop is an honorable achievement

[@josmeijer]

I think that the sport of it, for people with a more positive look at the world, could have been to make the crankshaft straight, especially the middle part. You had it in the lathe, so it was no big deal. Then you could have added a little bearing material on the middle bearing and scrape it to fit, like with real engines, rather than purposely destroying it with a drill and disposing it in your drawer to forget.

[@keithappleton]

Not as simple or practical as you assume. I do not work on impractical time consuming badly made parts that were made incorrectly in the first place. The engine will not be forgotten, far from it - in a future video I will make a full rebuild series about this engine . . . . . you may disagree with me, and I would like to see your video of a successful repair job on an engine like this one . . . . it's not worth the time or effort.

[@youtbe999]

I didn't find this video useful at all...but it doesn't matter.